RichardSturgis

STURGIS, MR. RICHARD W. Rockford Mr. Richard W. Sturgis, age 90, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2012. He was a 1939 graduate of Union High School where he participated in wrestling (135-137 weight class). Richard then attended Grand Rapids Community College with the desire to become an engineer. He joined the National Guard and was called up to active service in the Army/Air Corp during WWII. After the military he worked for Western Electric and installed central office equipment. For a short time he worked for Lears, and then worked for 36 years for the local agent for Friden, Art Eckenberg. In 1962 Art sold his agency back to Friden Business Machines, and Richard went with it. Friden then sold to Singer Sewing, and Richard's department, the service department, was sold to TRW. During this time he serviced calculators, adding machines, flex writers, and then electric cash registers. His favorite part of his work was in repairing equipment and making the equipment better than new. Richard was a member of the Grand Valley Wine Guild which was started by Howard Annis. Richard had many varied interests and had never met a wine maker that he didn't like. He liked to garden and fish for Blue Gill on Cowen Lake. His daughter, Carolyn felt that her father was her best friend throughout her life. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jonsie, whom he really missed; his son, Carlton Sturgis; and his sister, Virginia Sturgis. He is survived by his loving daughter, Carolyn (Michael) VanValkenburg; step-daughter, Ronna Heinig; step-son, Alan (Sharon) Heinig; brother, Arthur (Mollie) Sturgis. A memorial service for Richard will be held in May. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Feeding America, The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Nature Conservancy, or Hospice of Michigan. Pederson Funeral Home Rockford pedersonfuneralhome.com